Brisbane defender Jack Payne will miss the rest of the 2025 AFL season after scans revealed a ruptured patella tendon in his left knee against GWS on Satuday
Payne landed awkwardly from a marking contest in the opening term of his side's clash with GWS, with his left leg buckling.
The 25-year-old immediately clutched his knee and was in agony on the Gabba field, with a stretcher immediately called to the field with play halted for several minutes.
Payne was carted off the ground on the medi-cab and was soon subbed out of the contest, with the Lions later confirming suspected damage to his patella tendon.
The club confirmed the extent of the injury for the 25-year-old on Sunday.
โIt's very unfortunate and tough to see Jack suffer this injury, particularly as he has been in almost career best form to start the season,โ Brisbane general manager Danny Daly said.
โJack has shown before that he is incredibly resilient in overcoming injury, and we know he will do so again with a great medical team around him.
โEveryone at the Brisbane Lions, including our fans, are right behind Jack and his family and we will continue to support them on the road ahead.โ
The premiership defender had played all 12 games under coach Chris Fagan this year after an injury hit 2024.
Payne dealt with a foot issue that kept him sidelined for an extended period, while he also dealt with a knee issue.
Jack Payne possible ACL๐ฌ #AFLLionsGiants pic.twitter.com/ndmc3XTdZi
— BRZY (@outbreezyWC) June 14, 2025
The key defender has been one of the form players for his position this season, averaging 3.3 intercept marks and 12.5 disposals per outing.
Brisbane forward Kai Lohmann was brought into the game in Payne's place as the tactical sub.
The Lions trailed the Giants by seven points with two minutes and 41 seconds remaining in the first quarter at the time of the injury.
